Navy busts suspected oil theft ring, seizes 44,000 litres of diesel

A covert naval patrol in Rivers State has disrupted a suspected oil theft operation, with eight individuals now in custody and tens of thousands of litres of illegally refined diesel recovered.

The operation, carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, unfolded in the early hours of Sunday following intelligence reports pointing to illicit bunkering activities in Degema and Obologo. According to naval authorities, the suspects were intercepted during a high-risk mission designed to clamp down on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Mutalib Ibikunle Raji, who spoke through the Acting Base Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Justin Jerome, said the patrol team encountered resistance upon approaching the scene.

“While on patrol at about 0115 hours on March 22, the team accosted a boat being escorted by armed elements suspected to be affiliated with illegal groups. On sighting the naval patrol team, the criminal elements fled the scene,” he said.

A search conducted shortly after led to the discovery of hundreds of sacks filled with suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, commonly known as diesel.

“Each sack contains 106 litres, bringing the total to about 44,000 litres,” he added.

The Navy said the suspects and the seized products have been transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further action. Receiving the case on behalf of the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate, EFCC Superintendent Blessing Emereole assured that due process would be followed.

“This will be investigated discreetly. If found culpable, the suspects will be prosecuted,” she stated.

One of the arrested individuals, identified as Sokari and believed to be the group’s leader, denied knowledge of any wrongdoing, claiming he and others were only hired as labourers.

“We were just loaders. I didn’t know it was illegal bunkering until we got there,” he claimed.

Naval authorities linked the operation to ongoing enforcement under Operation Delta Sentinel, an initiative aimed at protecting Nigeria’s oil assets and curbing environmental damage caused by illegal refining.

The interception adds to a growing list of crackdowns targeting oil theft networks, a persistent challenge that continues to undermine the country’s economy and security.